Cloth-holding frame



Jan. 4, 1927. 1,613,081

- L-A. BROWN CLOTH HOLDING FRAME Filed Jan 15. 1926 attozwu:

Patented Jan. 4, 1927.

NITED STATES LUCIUS AQBROWN, F CLAY CENTER, NEBRASKA.

CLOTH-HOLDING FRAME.

Application filed January 15, 1928.

This invention relates to an improved frame over which a weather proof transparent cloth is stretched to form what may be termed a window.

This improved window has been especially designed with a view of supplanting the glass window now used to cover hotbeds in green houses and the like, but it is not to be restricted to this use for it is equally well adaptable for use in poultry houses. and as a storm window for residences and the like.

For the purpose of convenience, the invention will be described for use in the plant growers and gardeners-art. It is now customary in this art to provide a frame which is covered with a transparent cloth frequently referred to as glass cloth. This cloth is stretched over the frame during the winter, and in the spring it is removed and put away in order to save it. Various methods have been employed for fastening the edges of the cloth to the bars of the frame for the purpose of stretching it tautly across the frame. In some instances single fasteners such as nails and the like have been employed, and in other instances retaining cleats have been used. So far as I have been able to ascertain all present methods of fastening the cloth in place are such that they permit the cloth to rot out, thus permitting it to be used. for a single season, or making it necessary to cut off the frayed edges.

It follows that the primary aim in producing the present device has been to provide a novel means for connecting the cloth to the frame in a manner to permit it to be removed when desired, and to prevent rotting of the edges when in use. The novel construction employed for accomplishing this result will be set out in detail in the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same Figure 1 is a top plan view of a window -or cloth frame constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 1s a longitudinal section through the frame.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view thereof,

and

Figure 4 is a detail perspective view of one of the channel shaped cleats forming an important factor of the invention.

Serial No. 81,447.

Referrin to the drawings in detail, the reference dharacter 1 designates generally a frame which embodies opposed longitudinal side bars 2, and end bars 3, th shutting edges of these being miterod as shown. Formed in the upper side of the frame a marginal groove 4: which is spaced inwardly from the outer edges of the frame bars. Al: each corner is a vertical hole 5 extending from the groove through the bottom of the frame, this hole constituting a drain duct will be more clearly evident from the fol lowing description. As shown better in Figure 3 a central cross brace 6 is located between. the end bars to increase the rigidity of the structure. It will be observed from this figure that a pair of U-shaped clips 7 are fastened to the opposite ends of this brace and are provided with attaching tongues 8, these tongues being fastened to the end bars of the frame. In this connection it is to be pointed out that in the ordinary window construction comparatively heavy material is required in order to provide a frame which will be sufliciently rigid to support the comparatively heavy glass ordinarily used. In the present arrangement however exceedingly light weight wood may be employed and to permit this result to be better attained, metal cornices 9 are fastened to the under side of the frame and provided with upturned flanges fastened to the edges of the bars of the frame. It will be noticed that these cornices are formed with openings 10 regi tering with the aforesaid drain ducts Stretched tautly over the top of the frame is a piece of substantially transparent weather-proof cloth 11. It is quite common in the trade to refer to this well known marketed cloth as glass cloth. The edges of the cloth are depressed into the marginal grooves, and then channel shaped metal cleats 12 are placed in these grooves and upon the edges of the cloth to maintain the latter tightly in place. I would direct attention to the fact that the channel cleats are of a length less than the portions of the groove in which they are fitted. This is desired to space the ends of the channel from the drain ducts 5 to prevent covering of these These channels are held in place by turn buttons 13 pivotally mounted upon the bars of the frame in a position to swing over and bridge the channels as shown in Figure 1.

channels are forced down FI'OiH the foregoing description and drawing, it Will be observed that I have evolved and produced a novel frame whereby a substantially transparent Weather proof cloth may be stretched over it, and held tautly thereon. The arrangement of the grooves with the. channels fitting tightly therein serves to stretch the cloth tightly When it is placed in position. That is, When the into the grooves, they have a tendency to exert apull upon the cloth to stretch it. When the channels are properly in place they serve as water collectingtroughs, and in rainy Weather Water which collects upon the cloth Will be carried by the channels to the drain ducts to be disposed of. Under this errungen'ient the life of the cloth. and particularly the edges thereof Will be prolonged. These and 29 other advantages and features of the invention have been made apperent from the description and drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

l/Vhile the preferred embodimentof the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes C0111- ing Within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described the invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent i In a cloth frame wherein said frame provided with a marginal groove formed at its corners with drain holes, and channel shaped retaining cieets fitted into the side and end portions of said groove terminating in spaced relation from said holes.

In testimony whereof I al -fir: my signature.

Looms A. BROWN. 

